West Point Gets Grant For Walking Tour

West Point has received a $150,000 grant to develop a self-guided walking tour through the historic district downtown.

Part of the money will be used to design a "riverwalk" along West Point Creek and the Mattaponi River, said Town Manager Anthony Romanello.

FOR THE RECORD - Published correction ran Saturday, June 8, 2002.An information box in Friday's Local News section incorrectly said plans for Route 14 in West Point are on the town's Web site. The plans are for Route 33, also known as 14th Street. (Text corrected.)

The grant is from the Virginia Department of Transportation's transportation enhancement funds. The town will provide an additional $30,000.

The walking tour will cap several years of downtown improvements, which include new brick sidewalks and period lighting along Main Street. The tour probably will be in place by next year, Romanello said.

Almost the entire area south of 14th Street is on the state and national landmarks register.

The riverwalk will be part of a beautification project that will complement the improvements planned along Route 33.

"We have all this beautiful waterfront around us, and we don't take full advantage of it," said Romanello.

VDOT will replace the two bridges that carry Route 33 through town, and in the process widen the road through town from three lanes to five lanes. VDOT is beginning to acquire right of way and plans to start on the Lord Delaware Bridge late next year, he said.

LOOK FOR IT ON THE WEB

* More information and drawings about West Point's plans for Route 33, also known as 14th Street, are on the town's Web site, www.west-point.va.us.

Tina McCloud can be reached at (804) 642-1746 or by e-mail at tmccloud@dailypress.com